For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. –Moses in the Bible (specifically Deuteronomy 30: 11-14)
Moses understood the people he was leading.
He understood that in their laziness and the baby-bird “chew this up for me first and then feed me” ways they would eventually turn to their leaders and ask them to bring them some God to chew on. He understood that they would make God farther away than God really was and would then be able to shrug their shoulders when they couldn’t behave in God’s loving, gracious, merciful image. It would soon enough be easy for them to behave like they didn’t know God at all.
The Politicians in this country understand the people they are leading.
They understand that these particular folks want to show up on Sunday, be part of the right club, and then claim that they gave to God already and shouldn’t have to worry about the old, young, sick, outsider, marginalized, etc. They understand that this particular crew thinks that whatever their pastors say is a direct reflection of who God is. They can stand afar off and say “Who will go into heaven and bring it to us so that we may hear it??” Baby birds.
God understands the people God created.
God understands that we are frail, double minded, happy, sad, confused, and filled with both desires and chaos. God understands all of this and so made access to the nature and person of God easy. I’m not talking about religion. I’m not talking about a doctrine, dogma, denomination, sect, or label. God knows that we are baby birds…so what did God do with the instructions (aka word)?
God’s word is very near you. In your mouth. In your heart. That you may DO IT.
God understands the people God created. And God knows that if the Spirit moves near and is in the very mouths and hearts of the people of God (and all that means all over the world), they can do the things of God.
Feed people. Clothe people. Love people. Visit people. Forgive people. Show mercy, grace, compassion to people.
Do it.